Zoonoses disease-feline cowpox, Biology

Feline cowpoxFeline cowpox virus is an uncommon virus which causes skin lesions in cats. These viruses are said to be “cowpox-like”. The biological and genetical analysis showed the viruses from the cats to be identical to that of cowpox. Cases of cowpox in domestic cats have increased and these have become more important than cattle as a source of human infection. Feline cowpox has been reported in Great Britain and Western European countries. Human infection is often limited to a single lesion on the hand or face after touching it with an infected hand. Widespread infection and severe disease can develop in individuals with poor immune systems or pre-existing skin disease. Human cowpox can cause systemic illness with ‘flu-like symptoms, which may require hospitalization. Occasional human deaths have also been reported. Cats-to-human transmission can be prevented by basic hygienic precautions.